Check-up of sacrificial animals ordered

In view of the threat of the Congo virus and the lumpy skin disease, the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner has issued orders to the livestock department for medical check-ups of all sacrificial animals before they were allowed to enter city markets.

The livestock department has also been directed to keep an eye on the sellers of sacrificial animals who roam around in different areas of Rawalpindi instead of taking their animals to the dedicated market.

The Metropolitan Corporation Rawalpindi, the Rawalpindi and Chaklala Cantonment Boards have already banned the sale of sacrificial animals on stalls or streets ahead of Eidul Azha.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Tahir Farooq said that no lean, sick and weak animals should be allowed to be sold and teams of the livestock department should keep a close watch.

The livestock department has also approved the deployment of special teams at the entrance and exit points of the city. A spokesman for the livestock department has asked buyers to carry out special checks before purchasing sacrificial animals. Animals with the ticks attached to the skin should not be purchased, they pose a risk of spreading the Congo virus, he said.

The district administration has announced that the sacrificial animals’ market att Bhata Chowk will remain opened till July 12. On the other hand, animal sellers, who bring sacrificial animals to the market, said that the entry fee of Rs3,000 for large animals and Rs2,000 for small animals will lead to a further surge in the rates of animals. They demanded that the entry fee should be withdrawn. Animal seller Muhammad Ismail said that the entry fee should be reduced to Rs500. He said that due to the huge increase in the prices of petroleum products, the cost of transportation from different cities to Rawalpindi has increased by 40 per cent as compared to the previous year.

“With this increase, the entry fee on livestock is a cruel measure,” he said adding that prices of animal fodder and water tankers have also doubled. He said that the rent for tents, canopies and shade has also been increased by 20 per cent. Sellers will be compelled to increase the price of each animal.

Animal sellers have demanded that the entry fee should be withdrawn immediately.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2022.